The sun had passed its zenith when the caravan rounded the corner, Misty Woods finally disappearing behind them.

As they did, vast swathes of grass stretched out before the caravan, mirroring the fields that they had seen all too often along the Trade Way. Flat as a well hammered sword, the plains seemed to go on for miles, until halting at another forest that appeared days away. Nothing broke up the landscape, save a river further ahead and the stone bridge that spanned across it.

And the town.

Serena’s eyes widened; she grasped the backrest and pushed herself up in a half crouch, then to her full height on the bench. Next to her, Werond clucked her tongue and grabbed her arm, but didn’t pull her back down.

The stone walls of Daggerford stood imposingly tall, jutting up from the fields around them. Even from a distance, Serena could make out the individual stone bricks that comprised the imposing grey façade, and her mind race to figure out just what could have moved stones as huge as those. At each corner, a small tower protruded from the walls, it’s squarish shape and tall, triangular roofs appearing as something out of Serena’s old storybooks.

Somewhere in the middle of the walls flew the banner of Daggerford: a simple dagger laid out on worn brown tapestry that appeared massive, even at their distance.

Serena fell back into the bench, her hands almost vibrating.

“Do you see it?!” she said. “It looks huge! I’ve never seen stone walls like that before! Holy –” her head flipped to Werond, and she scooted closer. “Have you seen inside it before? Can you imagine what it looks like? I bet there’s a castle in there and a bunch of taverns – oh, I wonder if they’re like Mom’s or if they run things differently – I’ll have to send a letter and tell them all about it I don’t think Mom or Dad have ever been this far before I bet they’d want to hear all about –”

“Stop!” Werond yelled, clutching her head with one hand. “Holy hell, I can’t think when you talk like that!”

“Oh! Sorry!” Serena signed and shoved her hands into her lap. Even restrained, they seemed to twitch on their own.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I’m…happy you’re excited! I just…gods.” Werond shook her head like a dog shaking off water. “I’ve been once or twice, it’s kind of how you said. You’ll see for yourself here soon. Just…don’t expect Waterdeep.”

Serena nodded, barely able to sit still.

Werond frowned.

“Gods,” she mumbled. “if you freak out like that, you might kill me when you see Waterdeep.”

…

By the time the caravan had reached the front gate of Daggerford, the sun had begun to set, a glowing disk just under the horizon, sending a small chill through the air.

The grass fields in front of the town made an excellent staging area for the wagons; the caravan had pulled off to the side of the gate, front wagon leading the rest into a semi-circle, parked just in front of the moat.

Standing almost directly under the walls of Daggerford filled Serena with a sense of wonder. Aside from the low walls of Mirabar, she had never seen such an imposing structure up close before. Werond guffawed as Serena craned her head back, trying desperately to scan the tops of the walls, for anyone who might be up there.

“Just walls, boss.” Werond said, exhaustion in her voice. “Not really that interesting.”

“To you!” Serena signed, unable to stand still. “I’ve never seen something this big before! Well, maybe Ned’s house, but still!”

“Big house? He rich?”

“Yeah, but he’s an old dragon, so he needed the space. Not just for show!”

Serena turned back towards the walls, missing the puzzled expression on Werond’s face.

They, along with the other teamsters and owners, waited in front of their wagons, as Pavel escorted a town guard – a youth younger than Serena, leather armor one size too big – around the caravan. The boy had appeared out of the tall wooden doors that made up the town’s gates, informing them all in a shaky voice that he was to record each person down on the visitors’ log. Until he had everyone’s details, he had said, he couldn’t let anyone in Daggerford. Despite the chorus of grumbles and dissent, causing the boy to shake like a leaf in the wind, Pavel was all too happy to oblige. “Rules are rules!” Pavel had said, as he walked with him, rattling off startling accurate details about each wagon and the people within them; no one suspected that Pavel had memorized each wagons content and the names of everyone who rode on them.

By the time Pavel and the guard had gone over their wagon – the youth quickly unnerved by her signs – Serena refused to stand still.

“Hey, I know I asked already” Serena signed rapidly at Werond. “but tell me again, I want it memorized, what’s in like in the town?”

“Boss I told you already,” Werond sighed. “told you everything I know.”

“Can I hear it again? You tell it so –”

“No.”

“But…” Serena glanced around; her eyes landed on Cruck’aa and Jo, stuck in a deep conversation by Cruck’aa’s wagon. Serena jumped and beckoned them over, and signed with her other hand, “they – haven’t – heard!”

Cruck’aa glanced towards them, eyes narrowed, before looking back to Jo; she was already on her way over, a look of relief across her face. The feathers around Cruck’aa’s head fluffed up and he followed hot on Jo’s heels.

“Oh gods…” Werond mumbled. “Why would you do that?”

“Well, if you didn’t want me to do that, maybe you should have spoken up.”

“You little b –” Werond’s face snapped into a forced smile as the pair approached. “Hi you two!”

Jo nodded, and began to speak a greeting, before Cruck’aa cut her off, feathers still ruffled.

“What was so urgent that you needed to talk to us?” He asked, arms crossed, beak slightly up. “We were in the middle of an important conversation.”

Jo blinked, then scowled. “I don’t think the size of bird cages are that important.”

“Perhaps not to you, but to the birds within them –”

“Anyway!” Jo exclaimed, gesturing towards Werond and Serena. “What did you two want?”

“Oh, uhm…I wanted to ask if either of you’ve been in Daggerford before.” Werond said slowly; she shot a dirty look at Serena, who failed to suppress a smile.

“Why the hell,” Cruck’aa began, “would I subjugate myself to a shithole like Daggerford?”

“Uh, I’ve been here before,” Jo said, turning towards him. “it’s definitely not a shithole. Not like that last place. What was that town called?”

Three sets of shoulders shrugged. Jo chuckled and motioned for Werond to continue.

“Well,” she began. “Jo’s right, Daggerford is pretty nice actually. It’s laid out in two parts, uh…” Werond made a rectangle with her hands. “there’s the main part of the city, laid out kinda like a long box. Behind it, with more walls, there’s the castle, which I’ve never been in but…I hear it’s nice. And…” She yawned and rubbed her face. “Okay, honestly, there isn’t a point talking about it until we get in there. Serena just wanted to hear me talk about it again, sorry.”

Jo let out a pfft as Cruck’aa rolled his eyes.

“Hey!” Serena exclaimed, feigning outrage. “Don’t throw me under the wagon like that!”

“Uh-huh,” Werond moved and placed her arm around Serena’s shoulders. “maybe speak up next time, huh?”

Heat blossomed within Serena’s chest. She pulled away from Werond’s arm.

“I’m mute, you know that!” Serena said, hoping her cheeks didn’t flush too much.

“And thank the gods, imagine if you could actually talk? I might –” Werond laughed as she sprung away from Serena, whose hands now crackled with light blue sparks.

“Would you act your age Serena!” Cruck’aa shouted, as she tried to close in on Werond. “The childish act is ridiculous!”

Serena turned back to the Aarakocra and gestured rudely at him, forming a curse in the minds of everyone around her. A curse that was far more colorful than it needed to be.

A laugh ripped through Werond, and she doubled over as Cruck’aa seemingly puffed up larger than he was before. He opened his beak, retort in his throat, when a shrill yell interrupted him.

Some distance away, on the other side of the caravan, Lady Zultan – in a rare appearance - stood in front of her carriage. Her husband stood with her, hunched over and exhausted. The red dress that she’d worn before had been switched with a deep black, single shoulder dress, cinched tightly against her body, though her stark white hair was still pulled back into a ponytail.

One dark hand rested on the pommel of a silver sword that was strapped to her hip. With the other hand, Lady Zultan gestured wildly as she verbally laid into the poor guard from the city. Unrestrained fury filled her eyes as she screeched rapidly, taking one step closer to the guard each time he stepped back, his own eyes bugging out of his head. Pavel – palms out – stood to the side of the youth, pleading desperately – from what Serena could tell - for Lady Zultan to calm down, to no avail.

The entire caravan seemed frozen, gazes fixated on the spectacle in front of them. From their positions around the caravan, the guards began to slowly approach, forming a half circle around the Drow, somewhat blocking the view from where Serena stood.

“Ah fuck,” Jo said; she laid her hand on the rapier tied to her belt. “really? Going to make a scene now?”

“Uhm,” Werond straightened up. “should we do something?” she asked, glancing over at Serena.

She frowned. Serena wanted to help, to step in, but she knew that it would only draw the ire of Pavel if she interfered again. But from the look in the Lady’s eyes, perhaps it would be alright this time.

“No, you all stay here,” Jo said. “I’ll go see if he needs help.”

As she spoke, Lord Zultan straightened up, a sudden fire in his eyes.

Serena’s heart jumped.

He spoke harshly to his better half, though what he said, Serena couldn’t hear. But from barely hidden fear that painted his face, it was clear that he spoke out of line.

In one fluid motion – faster than Pavel could react – Lady Zultan spun on one heel, unsheathed her sword, and slashed upwards.

In one clean cut, the Lord’s right arm – from the elbow down – was sliced clean off and landed soundlessly on the grass next to him.

Lord Zultan screamed and dropped to the ground, blood spraying from the crimson wound.

The youth fainted, cheeks devoid of all color.

Wagon owners and teamsters closest let loose their own screams and began scrambling over one another in their attempts to flee.

Werond screamed; Cruck’aa’s eyes grew wide; Jo took off towards the mess; Serena could only look on in horror.

Others further away echoed the screams, a cacophony of revulsion and fear.

Many called for the Drow’s arrest, as the caravan guards rushed in, weapons out.

Lady Zultan began to advance on the downed Drow, sword poised to finish the job.

Pavel shoved his way past her, his own weapons out, and stood over Lord Zultan.

Panic arose in Serena and she took off after Jo, just steps behind.

Behind her, Werond and Cruck’aa yelled, their voices mixing into an unintelligible panic.

Lady Zultan pointed her wet sword at Pavel. “I’ll have your head for that, captain! Stay out of my affairs!”

Jo, finally caught up, halted further up than the other guards, her rapier aimed at the Lady’s neck.

At her brazen display, the rest of the caravan guards moved up.

“Ma’am!” Pavel yelled back, as two guards moved to shield him from the Drow. “Ma’am, please! You can’t do this!”

“Alright lady,” Jo said, as the other guards began to encircle Lady Zultan. “I’ll ask that you lower the weapon. We can talk this out calmly.”

The Drow shot daggers at Jo, then at Serena, as she rushed past everyone and slide to a halt next to Lord Zultan.

It was a clean cut, made with sickening grace, as though this wasn’t the first removal Lady Zultan had made. Blood had begun to pool around him, soaking his clothes and the grass in a deep red. He pressed a crimson hand against the stump, a desperate attempt to staunch the bleeding.

He grimaced as Serena came into view.

“Don’t think I can convince you that I’m fine?” He asked, voice unsteady. The color had drained from his face, shifting his normal dark skin to a light purple.

Serena shook her head and removed his hand from the stump. His skin was clammy. Too much blood lost.

“Well, asking doesn’t –” Zultan screamed in pain as Serena – hands aglow a bright silver – clutched at the stump. Steam rose as Zultan’s pale skin sizzled under the magic.

The wound had begun to glow, radiating a dull silver light, as the magic worked through it. Slowly, skin began to grow around the angry wound, pulling tightly together, until finally sealing the wound shut. Serena moved a hand and pressed it against the new formed flesh, flooding more light into it. Lord Zultan screamed again and pounded his only fist against the grass as Serena ensured the wound wouldn’t tear back open.

“Don’t you heal him girl!” Lady Zultan yelled from behind. “He needs to remember that lesson!”

“Lesson that you’re a raging –” one of the guards began to say, only to stop as Pavel smacked the flat of his sword against his back.

“Ma’am,” he said, sheathing his weapons. “I understand what the contract stipulates but I can’t have you injuring others like that. I –”

“You don’t get to dictate anything to me!” The Drow screeched. “I will have you hanged for this breach, captain!”

“Ain’t she a fucking charmer.”

Serena looked up; Werond stood over her, still shaken, hands filled with odd scraps of silk.

“Not much,” she said quietly, kneeling beside Serena; she began using the silks to soak up the blood that covered Lord Zultan. “but it’s something, I guess.”

“Thanks.” She signed, accepting a piece to wipe the blood from Lord Zultan’s face.

“This is a breach of the contract, I will have you all slaughtered for this!” Lady Zultan screamed. Serena shook her head and kept her focus on Lord Zultan. He’d make it, but he would need a proper healer, and soon.

“Ma’am, I understand what the contract stipulates,” Pavel said in an exasperated voice. “but he’s still a caravan member. Members are forbidden from attacking other members, regardless of the contract.”

“It’s just plain rude.” Jo said.

A guard snickered behind Serena’s back.

A sudden chorus of shifting armor and unsheathing swords filled the air.

Serena sucked in a breath, refusing to look back; the Lady must have turned on Jo.

“Alright, enough!” Pavel shouted. “No more comments! No one! Through the right given to me by the company’s charter, I am superseding your contract. I will be removing Lord Zultan from your carriage and take him under the caravan guard’s custody. You have shown yourself to be dangerous for his health and safety –”

“What?!” Lady Zultan screeched.

“– so, he will be under our protection until we reach our destination in Waterdeep. Do I make myself clear?”

Serena glanced behind. She didn’t even know if what Pavel said was true.

Each caravan guard had inched closer to the Drow, while Jo still held her rapier to her neck.

Lady Zultan shook with barely contained fury, though she remained silent.

After a moment, she nodded once towards Pavel.

“Okay, that’s settled. At ease!” Pavel said. Each guard relaxed, lowering their weapons, but remained where they stood. Jo backed up and sheathed her own blade. “Serena, Werond? Can you take Lord Zultan over to your wagon? Get him checked out? I’ll follow in a moment, I’ve got to go wake the kid up.”

Werond glanced at Serena, then spoke up as she nodded.

“Sure Pavel, can do.”

After checking that his wound was sufficiently healed, Serena pulled Lord Zultan up into a sitting position, and wrapped her arm around his waist, with Werond following suit. Lord Zultan laid his arms around their shoulders, stifling a groan, and together, they hoisted the Drow up, and began guiding him towards their wagon.

“I appreciate the help ladies,” Zultan wheezed. “but I can walk on my own.”

“You lost too much, just collapse if we let go.” Werond grunted. “Wouldn’t mind seeing that though.” Serena shot her look.

As the three staggered past Pavel, Jo, and the other guards, who were now dispersing back to their normal positions, Serena glanced behind herself.

The fire in Lady Zultan’s eyes had died away, replaced with a cold fury leveled at Serena. A shiver ran up her spine, and she refocused on carrying Lord Zultan.

As they reached the wagon – Cruck’aa having fled to his own – they gently deposited Lord Zultan against one of the wagon wheels away from the horses. As they did, the resounding crack of a slammed carriage door echoed through the air.

Serena let loose a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

“Thank you, ladies,” Zultan said, clutching at the stump of his arm. “Don’t know what I’d do without you two.”

“You’d be dead.” Werond said flatly. She flinched as Serena smacked her in the arm. “You’re welcome, sorry.”

As Serena began to sign – to tell Werond off – Pavel and the poor guard from Daggerford strode up to them. Pavel looked grim, jaw taut, while the youth behind him looked ready to soil his work pants where he stood.

“Lord Zultan, sir,” Pavel began. “I must apologize for that. Had I reacted faster, none of this would have happened.” He bowed his head, surprising both Serena and Werond. “You have my deepest apologizes.”

Despite the obvious pain that the Drow was still in, Lord Zultan chuckled.

“Not your fault captain, I highly doubt you’d have been able to stop her. Fast, that one.” He straightened up against the wheel and wiped the sweat from his brow. “Though I do appreciate you removing me from that carriage. Wouldn’t want to go back there.” He glanced at Serena, small smile upon his lips. “Looks like our plans will go a bit quicker now, hm?”

Pavel cocked his head and glanced at Serena.

She sighed. No better time than now, she supposed.

“We were going to help him disappear,” she signed. “Daggerford seemed like the place to do it. Didn’t really…have a way to do it though. Wasn’t expecting…whatever that was. Once we get him in and find a better healer than me, he should be –”

“Uhm!” the youth squeaked. As everyone turned towards him, the color drained from his face again. “Sorry! I d-didn’t mean to interrupt, b-but Drow aren’t permitted in the city…” he cowered behind his scroll as eight pairs of eyes widened. “W-we’ve had i-issues in the p-past with them! T-they’ll fire me if –”

“What?!” Serena yelled; the youth jumped a foot off the ground. “Why does everyone hate Drow?! They’re not all the same! Just because you saw the worse doesn’t mean he’s going to do it too! Gods!” She waved her hands about, and as she did, small spouts of fire emitted from her palms. “I’m fucking half-Drow! You think I’ll half kill you!? Is that it?!”

“Okay, well,” Werond came from behind and wrapped her arms around Serena, pulling her away from the guard. “you’re not doing yourself any favors with that.”

“I-I-I’m sorry ma’am!” the youth whimpered. “Rules are r-r-rules!”

“It’s alright,” Pavel said, turning towards him. “we understand. Have you finished your census yet?”

The youth stammered, scroll shaking in his hands. “Y-y-yes sir, all a-a-accounted for!”

“Alright. Why don’t you head back and let them know we have some coming in for the night?”

The youth nodded. Then broke into a sprint towards the gate.

Pavel chuckled as he watched him run. “Kid’s out of his element.” He turned back towards the other three, looking pointedly at Lord Zultan. “Alright, so, fill me in. You’re planning out getting out?”

“If possible.” Lord Zultan said, leaning his head against the wheel. “Though from the sounds of it, it’ll be more difficult than we expected.”

“What was the original plan?”

Serena shrugged off Werond’s arms and signed, “There wasn’t one. I hadn’t gotten that far yet.”

“Which is probably okay,” Werond said. “considering the hard part was done for us.”

“What do you mean?” Pavel asked.

“Serena – well, we couldn’t figure out a way to separate the two love birds without pissing off the Lady. He’d been running off and she was getting mad…probably why he looked like shit all the time, no offense. From the sounds of it, she was going to tighten the leash once we got here. With that little stunt though, and you putting your foot down Pavel, there’s not much else we need to do. You,” she gestured towards Zultan. “don’t even need to get into the city. Serena and I can go in, grab some supplies, and you can set off as soon as you’re ready. She doesn’t even have to know.”

Serena blinked. That was an angle she hadn’t thought of.

Zultan frowned.

“I…suppose that would work. My arm aches but it should be fine. Although I still don’t think I’ll be moving much tonight.”

“No, you won’t.” Pavel said, adjusting his belt. “You lost a lot of blood from that. Don’t think you’d be talking right now if it weren’t for Serena. You can camp out in the guard’s wagon for tonight, should be safe there. Take off in the morning when you’re feeling better.”

“Well…if you don’t think you need a better healer, Werond and I can grab some stuff I suppose.” Serena signed, glancing up towards the sky. “If we’re fast, I bet the shops will still be open. Could leave in the morning.”

“Rest up, head out at first light. Sounds like a plan.”

Three heads turned in unison towards the Drow leaned up against Serena’s wagon. His red eyes were wide, head turning to look at everyone. He coughed, and scratched the back of his neck, his face turning the palest shade of red.

“I uhm…yeah that works. Sure. You’ll…have to excuse me, I’m not used to such cooperation and kindness.”

“Anything to get you out of here faster.” Werond said flatly. She stepped back, grinning, as Serena shot an irritated look her way.

“Of course, of course. Well, in that case,” Zultan pulled his left foot towards him, and with some difficulty, yanked his boot off. He flipped it upside down, shook it, and grinned as a small cloth sack came tumbling out onto the grass. “looks like this finally paid off. Gods, I’d forgotten how normal shoes felt by now.”

He picked the sack up and tossed it towards Serena. As she caught it – damp from his sweat – she heard coins jingle within.

“There’s about…oh, five or so gold in that? Should be plenty for whatever you need. And uh,” Zultan grinned. “please feel free to keep the rest, buy something nice for yourselves. Call it my appreciation.”

“Wait –” Serena began to sign, to explain that he would need it more, when Werond grabbed her arm and began pulling her towards Daggerford.

“Sure thing! Now, sooner we get this stuff, the better, right boss?”

“But what about –”

“I’ll get Lord Z over to our wagon,” Pavel said, walking towards the Drow. “you two go grab the stuff, and fast.”

“Are you –” Serena could barely sign as Werond kept pulling her along. Zultan waved as they moved away, before grasping Pavel’s hand to be pulled up.

“He’ll be fine boss.” Werond said; she let go of Serena’s arm, only to slip her arm into hers. “Let’s get this done. There’s a place I want to take you to tonight, if we have some money left over.”

Serena’s face grew hot at the sudden closeness. She raised her hand to argue, only to drop it when Werond glanced her way, smirk on her face.

She wouldn’t take no for an answer.